Best 'control' headcollar, suggestions please!

[Mrs G]

Hi all, what headcollar would people suggest for a 16.1hh chunky TB who is, 90% of the time a dope on a rope but when he is particularly hangry (eg at this time of year), over excited or genuinely spooked by something will, in a split second, turn his head away from me, barge me with his (significant!) shoulder and run off - if I manage to keep hold (I always wear gloves) he can buck/kick out behind to get me to let go. I have tried a dually in the past (borrowed a friends) but he doesn't like anything low or loose on his nose and the dually seemed to sit just in the wrong place so it made him sneeze and shake/rub his head/face - it acted more like an added irritant to him. Ive also used a lunge line on a normal head collar but while it gives me a little more time to try keep hold, ultimately the line runs out eventually and Im just not as strong as I used to be! I dont want to use a chifney or anything that could really hurt him. Ideally I want something that when he's being good it feels no different to a normal headcollar that I can use everyday and that I can hand-graze him in, but gives me more control when he's 'on one'? TIA.

 

[L&M]

Ignore! Was posting re Dually then realised you had already tried it...

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would use a bridle and a lunge line

 

[Errin Paddywack]

You could try a headcollar with lunge line but thread it through from offside to nearside under the chin. I used to use this on my stallion when covering a mare. You do need the headcollar to have round connection on the side so the rope will slide.

 

[ihatework]

I’d just use a well fitted head collar with a stallion chain over nose (higher up than the dually). Then you can just clip lead rope on the chain if needed

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I have always used just a simple rope halter, like farmers use for cows. But I would take steps to make sure he isn't hangry when coming in

 

[exracehorse]

If I know my horse is going to be an twat. i.e tank off. Then I use his turnout bridle. He’s a different horse when that bit is in. He knows I have control.

 

[splashgirl45]

I used a kemp controller on my mare as she could be looney some days. It attached to your normal head collar and it’s a thin cord so they respect it more than the nice gentle leather head collar I had or what about the type that the horse whisperers use , the whole head collar is thin cord

 

[marmalade76]

One of those knotted rope halters? I'd never used one before until I got my latest pony, she was a bit rude to lead and would tow me around even in a bridle (she did it when I tried her). There's still some of my YO's stuff in the tack room which included a Parelli knotted halter so I thought I'd give it a go, it stopped her in her tracks and after a few weeks of it, she now leads like a dream and back in a normal head collar.

 

[splashgirl45]

I seem to remember Libby’s did a rope head collar, might be worth a google

 

[splashgirl45]

I’ve just googled rope head collars and there are loads of them, you could put one on under his normal head collar and have a lead rope attached to both so you can use the rope one as soon as he plays up , sorry I can’t do a link as I don’t know how to

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

Rope halters work so much better than the traditional headcollar. In your case I’d use a long rope. I use a 4m one for in-hand training. A longer rope would allow you more leverage whilst giving you distance from barging or flying hooves. However I’d be doing some ground-work to train this reaction out. I like my horses to be polite and respectful of my space.

I have this one. Had for over 4 years in daily use.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Natural-Ho...ocphy=9045822&hvtargid=pla-547057690762&psc=1


If however I thought that I couldn’t control with a rope halter I’d be using a bridle. This type of behaviour has the potential for serious injury to the handler and to the horse if it gets loose.

 

[Starzaan]

I would just use a stallion chain.

 

[FestiveG]

An old fashioned rope halter, like the ones they show heavy horses in, held close to the head. Then when she tries to turn away, she can't and it will tighten, it then slackenes again when she turns back. If you are close to her, then the feet have no power in them. Never let her get more than her shoulder in front of you, or her jaw behind you.

 

[Ratface]

When working with horses like the one OP is dealing with, I've either used the Dually or a Chifney.
I lead from the shoulder rather than the head.
I use my voice. When hacking in hand or working in the school, ridden or in hand, I pair the soft voice request and the hand one.
Growling and "Oy, you!" is only occasionally required.

 

[Zebedee]

Monty Roberts 'Be Nice'. The one with the studs and the large knots. For most horses one good short pull is enough to stop them in their tracks. The great thing about them is that as soon as the horse stops pulling away the pressure instantly releases so instant reward. It will also tick the normal unless he's being naughty box.

 

[NinjaPony]

I’d use a rope halter. Worked very well when my connie started being silly to bring in when he retired and allowed me to walk him on a loose rope when behaving himself.

 

[maya2008]

Semi-feral still-in-training pony likes to rip the rope out of people’s hands and run. Bridle in…no longer a problem. I considered a fancy headcollar but I already owned the bridle so why buy something new when you don’t have to?!

 

[Mrs G]

Thanks all. Some useful suggestions!

 

[exracehorse]

Semi-feral still-in-training pony likes to rip the rope out of people’s hands and run. Bridle in…no longer a problem. I considered a fancy headcollar but I already owned the bridle so why buy something new when you don’t have to?!

I’ve used the rope head collar. But he can still tank off. Bridle with bit. No problem

 

[rara007]

Another stallion chain vote.

 

[rabatsa]

Stallion chain user here. I have been known to use my dogs check chain if no stallion chain handy.

 

[Gloi]

Monty Roberts 'Be Nice'. The one with the studs and the large knots. For most horses one good short pull is enough to stop them in their tracks. The great thing about them is that as soon as the horse stops pulling away the pressure instantly releases so instant reward. It will also tick the normal unless he's being naughty box.

It works well stopping my greedy pig dragging me to grass.